The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel (BYFI) announced last week that applications are now being accepted for the 28th year of this program. The Bronfman Fellowships selects 26 outstanding North American students for a rigorous academic year of seminars including a free, five-week trip to Israel between the summer of fellows’ junior and senior years of high school. The program educates and inspires exceptional young Jews from diverse backgrounds to grow into leaders grounded in their Jewish identity and committed to social change.

The fellows participate in study and dialogue with diverse faculty, composed of rabbis and educators associated with different movements and perspectives within Judaism. Faculty members have an intimate knowledge of Judaism in North America and Israel and have extensive experience working with emerging adults.

During the program’s seminars, fellows meet with leading intellectuals, religious and political leaders and educators. Fellows also spend two weeks with a group of Israeli peers who have been chosen through a parallel selection process as part of the Israeli Youth Fellowship: Amitei Bronfman. Upon returning home from the summer in Israel, Bronfman fellows are asked to devise and lead local Jewish or social action projects.

Eligibility and Deadlines:

High School Juniors from the United States and Canada who will be sixteen by July of 2014 are eligible for the Fellowship. Fellowships cover round-trip transportation between New York and Israel, educational programming, and room, board and travel while in Israel. Room and board at orientation and the Spring Seminar in New York City are also included. Limited additional subsidies (based on need) are available to defray costs of travel to interviews, to New York for the summer program, and for follow-up alumni activities.